I often wonder why I never became D.J., instead of Denise Jodi. Who knew back then that D.J would fit me better? Denise seems so boring for me. I was meant to be a D.J. It seems so much cooler and fits the person I think I am. A little edgy and a bit rock and roll. Is it too late to change? Did my parents ever consider it?

I’m right in line with what many of you said about naming your kids. It’s all about uniqueness. My boys, Jaron and Jaylan will likely never be confused with any of their peers. I just didn’t think about how many times I would have to explain how I came up with their names. I also wasn’t prepared for constantly having to spell my kids names. But I wouldn’t change them.

I do wonder why I didn’t change my own.

MELISSA:

I’m named Melissa after one of my mom’s favorite students when she taught elementary school years ago. My parents were working with the letter “M” and voila; Melissa was born.

Melissa is actually a Greek name and means “honey-bee” or “sweetness.” Sweet I am, but that does not truly define the woman I’ve become. People often tell me I am one tough, aggressive, (and kind) woman. So on that note, maybe Roxanne would be more fitting. Melissa has been broken down over the year into Missy, Melis and Mel. At times I think Mel might have been cool. What I most regret is changing my maiden name. Melissa Musen had a ring to it that I do miss.

As far as my kids names. I would never want to change them. Elias, Lily and Sydney Rose are my favorite names in the whole world. They are all named after beloved grandparents who have passed on. I did however have a moment of pause after Sydney Rose was born. I wanted to call her Emma for a few days. I’d like to blame that on the post partum.

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I’ve always been quite happy with my name, Dena. I’ve always been glad to not have to use my last name to identify myself – most people don’t know another Dena.

julius

I suggest he first change his hairstyle. A man with a baby face that shaves his head looks kind of like a giant baby.

I have always hated my name (which is not my username). I can’t imagine changing it though.

Melissa K.

Another Melissa here commenting – I loved reading your views on this one, Melissa, because I remember feeling so much the same. Growing up, I was Missy, and to this day I cringe a little when someone calls me by my full three syllables. (What am I, in trouble?) But I’ve come to realize, this is a name my mother loved. Adored. Found perfect. Or she wouldn’t have given it to me. So, because I respect her, I’m sticking with the name.

And – I used to resent the “honeybee” reference too (I am also tough, quirky, and resourceful, but “sweet” – only to my loved ones) but I’ve come to realize that honeybees are some of the toughest creatures on earth. Serious with their stings! They are endlessly industrious – making honey out of what is generally just a sneezing powder – and best of all, they’re magic. Honeybees fly even though the laws of physics say they CAN’T – the wing to body size ratio is insufficient. But, as a famous book title reminds us, the honeybee flies anyway. (all right, the title of the book says “Bumblebee” but I think it makes a nice literary reference anyhow, yes? )

And finally, unless you only associate with people who have known you since high school and before, it’s never to late to start using a nick-name, if you want one. Just do it subtly – when introduced to a new person as “This is Melissa”, you say “Hi, you can call me Mel” or start signing your emails “Love, Mellie”, etc. People who knew you before you were old enough to vote are unlikely to change, and anyone who knew you before your age had double digits will NEVER update, but most other people are adaptable.

I liked this article – it’ll be interesting to see how many of us wish we could have been called “Matt Damon” instead of “Michelle.”

http://www.thefresh20.com Melissa @ The Fresh 20

Have you ever met a Melissa that wasn’t strong, smart and passionate? I’ll take it. And if someone calls me ‘Missy’, I know they knew me before puberty, waxing or hair straightener and that gives me a sense of comfortable nostalgia.

Just don’t call me late for dinner…

mommyoftwogirlsca

My name is candace. And |I have always not really liked it. My parents were thinking of calling me desiree before they had me I kinda like that name better.

Tina

I used to prefer my middle name (Nicole) but I really like my given name now. Tina is what’s on my birth certificate, not Christina (which people assume my name is because Tina is often used as a contraction of Christina). I don’t know many other Tina’s and I think it suits me

Sabrina C.

I always loved my name until I met my husband- his exwife has my same exact legal name! Makes things awkward when someone he doesn’t see often asks about Sabrina. Umm, the old one or the new one? Yikes. So sometimes I wish mine was different. I do think it fits me though.

http://ezactly.blogspot.com Mel

Had to comment since I’m a Melissa as well. I use Mel on the internet because it’s just easier and more casual but I am Melissa IRL. I hated (and still hate) the nickname Missy…..I was in preschool and the kids called me Missy Messy. I like Melissa though, it suits me fine. My husband’s name is Stephen and I like them together. As a girl I hated my name, thought it sounded old, and wanted to be a Victoria hahaha.

Danny’s Momma

Has anyone heard the story about a New Haven CT man who was arrested on drug charges, who had his name legally changed to Beezow Doo Doo Zoppity Bop Bop Bop?? It was on my local news the other day. I can’t make this stuff up, google it lol.

April

April Davonia. I love my name; always have and it fits me well.

Gunner’sMommy

I love my name, my father named me and i think it fits!

Natalie

I love my name, but I sometimes wonder if I chose the right name for my daughter. We chose the name years ago when we started TTC, by the time she was born it had moved up to #8 on the popularity list but I never thought it would be #1. I still think Sophia is a beautiful name, but when I hear all the Sophia’s on the playground I wonder if I made a mistake. Oh well, she likes her name so far. You never can tell what is going to happen to a name after you choose it.

Sarah

I simply couldn’t imagine being called anything else. My parents made a good choice.

Carly

Ugh my name! My name gave me problems all through my school years, teachers pronounced it wrong over and over and over. However, my name is unique, I don’t know anyone else with my name, so I was never confused with anyone else, it was a pain spelling and pronouncing it. Carlene, my name is Carlene, it is not Charlene, Charlotte, Caroline or whatever other C name you want to throw out there. Looking at it, I would think it is quite clear and easy to understand that you say it like it looks. Once I started online, I shortened it to Carly and kept it like that because I’m now in France and the french always pronounce it their way, which I hate just as much as Caroline or Charlene lol.

Aurora

I’ve always loved the name Aurora, and wish I were named that, but alas my real name is Kelly, so sometimes I use Aurora online. I don’t care if people know my real name, I just like using Aurora when I can. I accept my name, but I prefer something a little less ordinary, like Aurora.

chilliliz

Well, my real name is Lizette, which everyone has always called me. Only my best friend since 7th grade and my paternal grandmother called me Lizzie and Zettie respectively.

Then after college I was the youngest person in my office for a few weeks, so all my much older colleuges(sp?) called me Lizzie. I’m now 30, but they still call me Lizzie!

I always thought Elizabeth (I was named after both my Grandmothers, who were Elizabeth) would have suited me much better.

But I am glad not to have inheritted my full names as per the family tradition. My Granny was Elizabeth Catherina Wilhelmina Martina. Her names could never fit on official documents!

http://www.babycouponsource.com Baby Coupons

I’ve never been able to imagine myself with any other name, but I distinctly remember my sister begging my parents to let her change her name to Jasmine. Makes me giggle every time.

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Note: This is a fun post spoofing a popular series on one of my favorite technology blogs. The boy scouts have a motto “always be prepared.” My son doesn’t know that because he is 3. But he does like to be prepared in case an adventure (or a 30-minute ride to his grandparents house) presents… Read more »